Wrench-type combination tool



Aprifl 1s, 1%? E. c. GREEN 3,31 7

WRENCH-TYPE COMBINATION TOOL Filed Oct. 29, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR EDWARD CLIFFORD GREEN ATTORNEY April 18, 7 E. c. GREEN3,314,087

WRENCH-TYPE COMBINATION TOOL Filed Oct. 29, 1964 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 (Y)Wg w 5 I m INVENTOR I EDWARD CLIFFORD GREEN ATTORNEYS United StatesPatentce 3,314,087 WRENCH-TYPE COMBINATION TOOL Edward Clifford Green,159 Highway 36,

Belford, NJ. 07718 Filed Oct. 29, 1964, Ser. No. 407,406 1 Claim. (Cl.7--7) The present invention relates, in general, to a Wrenchtypecombination tool and, in particular, to a combination tool which may beemployed conveniently to perform essentially all related functionsnecessary to the operation of propane-type torches and tanks.

In the utilization of presently available propane-type torches andtanks, e.g., Prest-O-Lite torches and tanks, it has heretofore beennecessary to provide a number of diiferent tools for effecting thevarious operations ancillary to such utilization. For example, a numberof conventional tools have been provided to connect and disconnect hosefittings on Prest-O-Lite tanks as well as the burner tip employed withthe propane tanks used in conjunction therewith. Further, a key has beenprovided for and opening closing the valves on the Prest-O-Lite tanks aswell as a separate key for opening and closing the valves on the propanetanks, so-utilized. In addition, a flint sparker has been provided toignite the Prest-O-Lite torch. 'During such operation it has also beenfound necessary to readily provide extra flints for the sparker and,after prolonged use, a cleaner for the burner tip of the torch.

The foregoing operations performed in conjunction with the torch andtanks have, therefore, necessarily involved the use of a number ofseparate and distinct tools. Thus, an operator utilizing the torch andtanks mentioned above would be required to carry each of a relativelylarge number of tools so as to effect each of the desired operations. Itis manifest, therefore, that it would be highly advantageous to providea single tool which can capably perform all of the above plurality ofdifferent operations. It is also manifest that a tool which utilizes thesame components in mutual combination for a number of differentsuccessive operations is even further advantageous.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention, therefore, toprovide a combination tool which provides the same components in mutualoperative combination so as to successfully effect a number of differentoperations.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a single combinationtool which will capably perform essentially all of the operationsnecessary in conjunction with propane-type torches and tanks.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a combinationtool which is comprised of a plurality of elements which act in mutualcombination so as to accomplish essentially all of the operationsperformed in conjunction with Prest-O-Lite-type torches and tanks.

These and other objects of the invention are attained and will becomeimmediately apparent by the construction and operation of suchcombination tool as hereinafter more fully described, reference beingmade to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein likenumerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of thewrench-type combination tool of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the wrench-type combination tool of thisinvention with the striker lever thereof being in detached positon;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the wrench-type tool in accordance withthis invention.

Referring now specifically to FIGURES l-3, the com- Patented Apr. 18,1967 bination tool of this invention is shown comprising a frame 10,generally in the shape of the letter T and thus comprises at least twohorizontal arm members 12 and 14, respectively, and a vertical member16. The vertical member 16 of frame 10 is provided with a rack gear 18which extends from about midway of said vertical member up to thatportion of the frame Where the vertical member joins the horizontalmembers 10 and-12, re spectively.

A jaw member 20 is provided having an opening 22 extending therethrough.Said opening 22 is of such configuration so as to accommodate at least aportion of the vertical member 16 of the frame therein and thus allowsliding movement of the jaw member 20 along the axis of the verticalmember 16. The jaw member 20 is adjustably movable with closing andopening move ment controlled by a worm thumb wheel which engages theteeth provided in a rack gear 18. The worm thumb wheel 24 is held inplace within the jaw member 20 by means of elongated machine screw 26which extends through the coaxially arranged cylindrical recesses 28 and30 provided for in jaw member 20 and worm thumb wheel 24. The face 32 ofjaw member 20, as well as the bottom portion 34 of horizontal arm member12 which formed the jaws of the wrench of the instant invention, arepreferably provided with uneven or knurled surfaces so as to insuresufiicient bite when such members are employed for wrench-typeoperations.

Integrally connected with frame 10 and positioned at the terminal end ofvertical member 16 is positioned a socket wrench 36 comprising acylindrical peripheral portion 38 and a centrally disposed square recess40 disposed therein. In operation, the square recess 40, which isadapted to receive a square stem, engages said stem which is provided onthe valve of propane tanks. By turning right or left on the horizontalarm members '12, 14, of the Wrench frame 10, the valve on said propanetanks will be either opened or closed according to the direction ofmotion. Thus, it is apparentthat the jaws of the Wrench portion of theinstant invention, along with the remaining horizontal member, mutuallycomprise arms affording leverage for the socket wrench provided on theframe thereof.

Striker lever 42 which is positioned on vertical member 16 of the frameand comprises an elongated member which is bifurcated at one terminalend 44 thereof. The vertical member 16 is opera-bly connected with arecess 46 of the bifurcated portion 44 of the striker lever. The strikerlever 42 is pivotably mounted on the frame 10 by means of a machinescrew or similar fastening means which passes through coaxially alignedcylindrical taps 48 provided in both the bifurcated portion of thestriker lever 42 and the frame 10, respectively. The other end 50, ofthe striker lever 42, is provided with a flint 52 which is affixed tothe striker lever by conventional means, i.e., machine screw and thelike.

On the planar or face portion of frame 10, comprised of horizontalmembers 12 and 14, is affixed a striker plate 54 which is comprised of amaterial which will provide a spark upon contact of flint 52 on saidstriker plate. Striker plate 54 is affixed to said frame by means of aplurality of machine screws 56 or the like which pass through strikerplate 54 and striker backup plate 58 on which said striker plate ispositioned.

Flint 52, affixed to the striker lever 42, is normally positioned at theextreme end portion of striker plate 54 by means of spring 60 which,when in its normally extended position, forces striker lever 42 to anextreme rotatable position about the axis comprised of machine screw 46.

In operation, upon movement of the striker lever, e.g., from left toright, and conjoint movement of the flint 3 across the striker plate,the flint creates sparks by friction with said striker plate.Advantageously, these sparks are capable of igniting Prest-O-Litetorches and similar gas burning equipment. Upon creation of the desiredsparks, spring 60 presses against the striker lever 42 forcing same backto its original extended starting position.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided one or moresquare apertures 64 which pass through the vertical member 16 of frame10. By placing any one of such apertures over the square stem providedon the valve of Prest-OLite tanks, and turning the combination tool ofthis invention rotatably to the right or left, the valve will open orclose, depending on the direction of motion provided.

In accordance with this invention, there is also provided in theterminal ends 66 and 68 of the horizontal members of the frame, tworecesses 70 and 72, respectively. Each of said recesses 70 and 72 areannularly threaded at the outermost terminal portion thereof and areprovided with screw plugs 74 and 76 which, when threadably positionedwithin the terminal portions 66 and 68, respectively, of the horizontalmembers, thereby form a storage area Within each of said horizontalmembers. Accordingly, in that storage area formed by recess 70 and screwplug 74 may be advantageously stored extra flints for operation with thestriker portion of the tool of this invention. Screw plug 76 mayadvantageously have a fine needlelike member attached thereto, andstored within recess 72 and which may be used, upon removal, forcleaning the extremely small gas orifices of propane and similar tanks.

Thus, a device for the complete operation of ropanetype torches andtanks is provided in a single tool which also provides various storagespaces for often needed parts, etc. In order to accomplish this, it willbe observed that one of the horizontal members of the frame of the toolused for leverage in rotating the socket wrench portion of the tool alsocomprises a jaw of the adjustable wrench portion of said tool.Similarly, the vertical member of the frame mutually comprises not onlysaid adjustable wrenchs handle and the axis of said socket wrench, butalso provides a suitable member on which the striker arm and on whichthe striker plate may be affixed. Conjointly, such vertical member alsoprovides that suitable member in which one or more useful keyscomprising a square recess is provided. Accordingly, the horizontalmembers which also comprise the jaws of said wrench as well as thehandle of said socket wrench, as set forth above, also provides thevaluable storage space for parts integral in the operation of torchesand tanks.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative of the principles of theinvention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur -to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentscan be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed is:

A combination tool comprising a T shaped frame having a vertical memberand two horizontal members integral therewith and extending therefrom;said vertical member having slidably positioned thereon a jaw memberwhich with one of said horizontal members forms the jaws of anadjustable wrench, a striker plate afiixed to said horizontal members;said vertical member having pivotably mounted thereon an elongatedstriker lever with a flint affixed thereto, said flint being in abuttingcontact with said striker plate and providing sparks when moved acrosssaid striker plate, said slidable jaw being positioned between saidstriker plate and said striker lever pivot, and said vertical memberhaving a socket positioned on the terminal end thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 48,027 5/1865Park 77 993,950 5/1911 Blaska 76.1 2,979,742 4/196 1 Cowley -62 FOREIGNPATENTS 614,114 12/1948 Great Britain.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

R. V. PARKER, JR., Assistant Examiner.

